The Philippine Basketball League (PBL)
has remained as the premier amateur basketball league
in the country. It has sustained its patronage and public
acceptance by being dynamic and adaptable to the ever-changing
needs of times. Players have become taller, faster and
more scientific in their system of playing. Thus, basketball
rules have to be periodically changed to meet the demands
of the sport and to make the games more exciting and
enjoyable.

The PBL adopts the rules of the International
Basketball Federation (FIBA), which governs amateur
basketball in the country as well as international competition.
However, since our tournament takes almost three (3)
months to complete, we deemed it necessary to institute
certain PBL house rules (as additional regulations that
are over and above the FIBA rules) that will govern
all participants of the game.

In this regard, any and all other rules
not specifically covered in the PBL house rules shall
be governed by the FIBA rules. The Game Operations Unit
(GOU) is tasked to ensure the correct applications of
both rules at all times.

This manual seeks to guide all members
of the PBL family regarding accepted norms, rules and
regulations and systems and procedures governing the
conduct of all PBL games.

These HOUSE RULES were not formulated
overnight. It is a compilation of rules promulgated
by the Office of the Commissioner since 2000. All these
compilations now form as an integral part of this manual.

UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY IN OFFICIATING

The PBL game officials shall apply the
following fundamental principles in the conduct of the
game:

The spirit and intent of the rules and the need
to uphold the integrity of the game.

Consistency in applying the concept of “advantage/disadvantage”,
whereby the officials should not seek to interrupt
the flow of the game unnecessarily.

To avoid penalizing personal contact which is incidental
(contacts with no appreciable effect) to the play
and does not give the player responsible for the contact
an unfair advantage nor place his opponent at a distinct
disadvantage.

Consistency in applying common sense to each game,
taking into account the abilities of the players concerned
and their attitude and conduct during the game.

Consistency in maintaining a balance between game
control and game flow, having a “feeling”
for what the participants are trying to do and calling
what is right for the game.

Acts of violence may occur during the
game, contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship and fair
play. These should be stopped immediately.

Whenever acts of violence occur between
players, substitutes, coaches, assistant coaches, team
officials and other team bench personnel, the game officials
shall take the necessary action to stop them.

Any of the above-mentioned persons who
are guilty of flagrant acts of aggression against opponents
or game officials shall be promptly ejected/disqualified
from the game as specified on Page 15 of this manual
under Section XII - Automatic Ejection/Disqualification
from the Game.

I. TEAM COMPOSITION / LINE-UP
CHANGES

Each team shall be allowed fifteen (15)
players in its line-up. All 15 players are eligible
and entitled to play.

The deadline for line-up changes shall
be on the last playing day of the elimination round.

Players on the reserved list who are not
part of the regular team may be signed up by other teams
as free agents, except in the case of players of school-based
teams who still have college eligibility.

Players who are placed in the injured
list must present a medical certificate and submit to
examination by the official PBL physicians. A minimum
of one (1) week shall be required before injured players
can be reactivated.

The forty-eight (48) hours notice on player
changes and reactivation shall apply. Sunday shall not
count as a working day. Communications sent on a Sunday
to the Office of the Commissioner will be considered
as having been received on the first hour of business
on Monday.

II. PLAYERS’ ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible, all new players shall
be at least eighteen (18) years of age but not more
than twenty-six (26) years old on or before the start
of the immediate succeeding conference.

All new players shall pass through the
regular Draft. Teams shall have seven (7) working days
to negotiate exclusively with their draftees.

Beginning October 2004, the PBL will categorize
as Fil-foreigners those who lay claim to Philippine
citizenship derived from either his mother or father
at the time of his birth and who has not played high
school or college basketball in the Philippines.

Each team will be allowed to hire only
one (1) Fil-foreign player except those who already
have a guest player. This ruling will not apply to Fil-foreigners
who had already been allowed to play previously in the
PBL.

The Fil-foreigner is expected to complete
the requirements of recognition before the next conference,
otherwise he will be ruled ineligible to play further
in the PBL.

III - PLAYERS’ CLASSIFICATION

Beginning March 2005, each team will be
allowed to hire only one (1) ex-pro at any given time.
It should also be noted that beginning March 2004, the
incubation period for ex-pros to revert to regular playing
status in the PBL had been shortened to two (2) consecutive
conferences.

Ex-pros will be covered by other rules
such as eligibility due to age (not more than 26 years
old).

Returning players are also covered by
the eligibility rules except those who are deemed to
have been continuously playing in the PBL. A player
is deemed to have been active in the PBL if he had signed
a Uniform Player’s Contract (UPC) for the immediate
past conference as specified on Page 12 under UPC of
the Team Operations Manual.

IV - PLAYERS’ RECRUITMENT

Teams who wish to recruit players from
school-based team or any other amateur commercial league
shall undertake the following procedures:

The team owner or his representative shall take
the initiative to negotiate
with a school-based team of their choice or any other
amateur commercial league team;

The team owner or his representative shall seek
the approval of the Board of Trustees by declaring
his intention to recruit during the scheduled first
Board of Trustee’s meeting after the conclusion
of the season-ending conference;

The team owner or his representative shall be limited
to only one (1) school-based team or one (1) amateur
commercial league team; and

Upon approval of the Board of Trustees, the team
shall have absolute rights to recruit players from
declared school-based team and amateur commercial
league team as the player’s name appears in
the draft list.

V - CONDUCT ON THE TEAM BENCH/DRESS
CODE/OTHER
EQUIPMENT OR OBJECTS

The following guidelines shall be observed:

In order to put more semblance of order on the team
bench area, only six (6) team officials are allowed
to sit on the team bench. However, during time-outs,
support staff (utilities, ballboy, masseur therapist,
etc.) may enter the team bench area;

To further enhance the public image of the PBL,
a dress code shall be firmly implemented for team
officials sitting on the team bench. Walking shorts,
collarless shirts, faded jeans and sandals are strictly
prohibited. Utilities and ballboys may opt to wear
team uniforms instead;

All injured players in street clothes shall be strictly
prohibited from sitting on the team bench area;

All players under suspension shall not be allowed
to be present at the playing venue and the immediate
premises during his team’s next scheduled game;
and

The use of pro-grip has been banned in the PBL starting
the 2003-2004 season. Likewise, wearing of spectacles,
jewelry and other objects that may pose danger to
fellow players are strictly prohibited.

VI - NORMS AND CODE OF CONDUCT OF PLAYERS/TEAM
OFFICIALS

The proper conduct of the game demands
the full and loyal cooperation of the members of both
teams (players, substitutes, coaches, assistant coaches,
team officials and other team bench personnel) with
the game officials, table officials and the GOU directors.

Players and team officials are expected
to display a high standard of conduct in PBL games.
Allowing players and team officials to escape the consequences
for marginal offenses in the early stages of a game
makes them believe they can continue with it. This contributes
to making task of enforcing a high standard of behaviour
more difficult later in the game - not to mention as
the conference continues.

To ensure the smooth functioning of the
games, the following shall be observed:

All players and team officials shall go directly
to their respective team’s dressing rooms after
the end of the first half and after the end of game;

There should absolutely be no crossing on the playing
court for purposes of going to and approaching in
the direction of the game officials to talk to them;

All complaints and grievances regarding perceived
wrong calls shall be directed to the GOU directors
during the half-time interval only but not immediately
after the game;

The “overnight cool-off” period for
the offending player/team official shall be strictly
imposed;

All players and team officials are prohibited to
go within the vicinity or directly into the direction
of the referees’ dressing room before, during
and after their game;

Comments and/or remarks coming from players and
team officials which undermine the integrity of the
PBL are strictly prohibited;

Any violation of these Norms and Code
of Conduct shall be dealt with severe fines and penalties
as may be determined by the Commissioner.

All of the foregoing have been quoted
from various memoranda arising from previous incidents
in the PBL.

VII - INQUIRIES ON THE CONDUCT OF THE
GAME

The following procedures on any inquiry
on the conduct of the game shall be strictly observed:

The coach or his representative may approach anyone
of the GOU directors for rule clarifications or pertinent
observations concerning officiating. This must be
done only during the half-time interval of each game
at the on-site PBL office (located at venue where
the game is being played);

After the game, grievances, rule clarifications
and other inquiries on the conduct of the game shall
not be entertained. The coach or his representative
shall secure a request form at the on-site PBL office
specifically for this purpose. The GOU directors shall
then entertain such request the following day; and

Decisions made by the GOU directors and the Office
of the Executive Director and/or the Office of the
Commissioner are final and can not be contested or
disregarded.

VIII - TIME-OUTS

The following opportunity for a time-out
shall be granted to each team during playing time:

Each team shall have seven (7) time-outs during
the regulation period broken down as follows:

• 1 Time-out in the 1st quarter } These time-outs
become mandatory
• 1 Time-out in the 2nd quarter } on the 4th
and 6th minute of each
• 1 Time-out in the 3rd quarter } quarter (time
remaining 6:00 and
• 1 Time-out in the 4th quarter } 4:00, respectively).

1 Wildcard time-out (see No. 3 below)

2 Time-outs in the last two (2) minutes
of 4th quarter (see No. 4 below)

7 Total number of time-outs

Each team shall have one (1) mandatory time-out
on the 4th and 6th minute of each quarter (time remaining
6:00 and 4:00, respectively).

In addition, each team shall be given one (1) wildcard
time-out which can be used in any quarter but not
after the last two (2) minutes of the 4th quarter.

Each team shall have two (2) time-outs during the
last two (2) minutes of the 4th quarter.

In case of any extra period, each team shall be
given two (2) time-outs. However, any unused time-outs
in the 4th quarter or extra period may not be carried
over to any succeeding overtime period.

Important Reminder

The coaches HAVE NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER TO
PLACE A CONDITION ON THEIR REQUESTS FOR A TIME-OUT.
The moment a time-out opportunity begins, the time-out
request is immediately granted and charged against the
team WHOSE COACH FIRST MADE THE REQUEST unless the time-out
is granted following a field goal scored by the opponents
and without a foul or violation having been called.

IX - CORRECTABLE SITUATIONS

As separate procedures from the correctable
instances enumerated in Art. 44 (Correctable errors)
of the 2006 FIBA Official Basketball Rules, the following
situations may be impartially corrected taking into
account the result of thorough review of the video footage
as follows:

If the game officials encounter difficulties in
determining whether a period
ending shot or a 24-second clock ending shot shall
count. Review shall establish whether the release
of the ball preceded the signal sound or the signal
sound preceded the release of the ball;

If the game officials fail to determine whether
a shot for a field goal is a legitimate 2-points or
a legitimate 3-points field goal attempt. Review shall
affirm the correct place from where the shot was validly
taken;

If the game officials were unable to make instantaneous
decisions on whether a goal tending or interference
with the ball violation has occurred. Review shall
validate whether a clear violation was actually committed
either by the offensive or defensive player; and

If an out-of-bounds decision as to who last touched
the ball is found to be incorrect, the crew chief
(referee) shall immediately confer with his crew to
provide assistance and ensure that ball possession
is awarded to the team rightfully entitled to the
throw-in. However, if no assist and/or correction
is made by whichever the crew chief (referee) or the
other umpire, then the decision of the official calling
the infraction as to whom the possession of the ball
is awarded SHALL BE FINAL and can not be contested
or disregarded.

Important Notice

All of the foregoing situations shall
require an immediate official’s time-out and appropriate
consultation process with the GOU directors, game officials
and table officials. These procedures will ensure that
the game is put into the RIGHT PLAY and that no team
shall be unduly penalized or unfairly disadvantaged
because of the involuntary error in judging the play.

In addition, all the listed definitions
and procedures under FIBA Art. 44 (Correctable errors)
shall be firmly applied regardless if the correction
of the error shall influence the result of the game.

As a general rule, the crew chief (referee)
shall affirm the final decision in each of the correctable
circumstances under Nos. 1, 2 and 3 above and Art. 44.

X - UNSPORTSMANLIKE FOULS

In addition to Art. 36, specifically under
Art. 36.1.4, (Unsportsmanlike fouls) of the 2006 FIBA
Official Basketball Rules, the following shall be implemented:

Unsportsmanlike foul “A” - penalized
with two (2) free throws plus
possession of the ball for a throw-in, and a two (2)
minute “cool-off”
period for the offending player:

A player who is after the man and makes no effort
to play the ball and commits excessive contact (pushing,
holding, kicking, deliberate attempt to cause harm,
etc.);

A player who may be after the ball but in the process
commits excessive contact that results to dire consequences;
and

Beginning October 2004, a player who commits unnecessary
personal contact against an opposing player after
a foul has already been called (in the same stopped
clock or dead ball period) shall be assessed with
an unsportsmanlike foul “A”. After the
whistle, no extra harmful motion and/or unsportsmanlike
act is allowed since this could trigger on-court violence.

The foregoing infractions are subject
to appropriate fines and penalties as specified on Page
17, Section XIV - Fines and Penalties.

Unsporstmanlike foul “B” - penalized
with two (2) free throws plus
possession of the ball for a throw-in:

If a defensive player WHO HAS NOT CLEARLY MAINTAINED
A LEGAL GUARDING POSITION AND/OR LINE OF DEFENSE IN
FRONT OF HIS OPPONENT commits a foul (with no clear
intention to hurt) on a player who has already established
a clear path toward the basket, that player shall
be assessed with an unsportsmanlike foul “B”.

The above infraction is not subject to
fines and penalties as specified on Page 17, Section
XIV - Fines and Penalties.

XI - TECHNICAL FOULS

Technical fouls by a player are player’s
personal foul that do not involve contact with an opposing
player and is considered as behavioural in nature. Any
overt dissent either verbal or non-verbal by a player
will not be tolerated. If any form of disrespect or
discredit is made by a player toward a referee about
a referee’s decision, a technical foul will be
assessed. Every disapproving reaction that incites the
crowd or demean the referee will not be accepted. Players
have been told to amend their conduct as it reflects
discredit on the game of basketball and upon the PBL.

In addition to those listed in Art. 36
(Unsportsmanlike fouls) and Art. 37 (Disqualifying fouls)
of the 2006 FIBA Official Basketball Rules, the following
unsportsmanlike behaviour shall be considered as a technical
foul by a player (Art. 38) and, therefore, subject to
appropriate fines and penalties as specified on Page
17, Section XIV - Fines and Penalties:

Tripping an opponent without contact;

Elbowing a player without contact (excessive elbow);

Trash talking and taunting or baiting an opponent;
use of obscene or profane language;

Use of dirty finger (“stickcum”) or
pointing an accusing finger to game officials or opponents;

Continuous complaining after a warning for overt
dissent has been given;

Persistent and flagrant overt dissent;

Any other acts which in the judgment of the game
officials are manifestly detrimental to the game.

The following non-contact infractions
shall be considered as a technical foul by a player
(Art. 38), however, shall not be subject to fines and
penalties as specified on Page 17, Section XIV - Fines
and Penalties:

Delaying the game by deliberately touching the ball
after it passes through the basket or by preventing
a throw-in from being taken promptly. However, touching
the ball immediately after a successful field goal
or a successful last or only free throw, if not flagrant
enough, shall be given a prior warning before a technical
foul is called;

Deliberate hanging on the ring before or after
a shot for field goal or dunk shot in such a way that
the weight of the player is supported by the ring;
and

Any other delay-of-game acts which in the judgment
of the game officials shall place the opponent at
a distinct disadvantage.

Important Notice

An official warning would be given only
when the ball becomes dead and the game clock is stopped
or after any stoppage of the game.

When an official warning is given to a
player for an action or behaviour which, if repeated,
may lead to a technical foul, that warning shall be
considered as a personal warning to the offending player
of that team, e.g. “Player No. 10 warning for
delaying the game or warning for preventing a throw-in
from being taken promptly”.

Such warning shall apply to all members
of that team for the remainder of the game. The warning
shall also be communicated or relayed to the coach of
that team for his appropriate information. Typical examples
of warning given to a player of Team A or Team B are
as follows:

Interfering with the throw-in or delaying the game
after a successful field goal or a successful last
or only free throw;

Obstructing the shooter’s field of vision,
shouting loudly, stamping feet heavily or clapping
hands near the face of the shooter who is attempting
a shot for a field goal that disconcerts his shooting
action;

Unsportsmanlike behaviour or overt dissent; and

Any other action which, if repeated, may lead to
a technical foul (see lists of non-contact fouls in
Art. 38.3.1 of the 2006 Official Basketball Rules
and Page 13 of this manual).

However, a separate warning shall be given
in each specific offense and/or every different acts
and a technical foul shall be assessed only if there
will be any repetition of similar infraction after a
warning.

There are a number of delay-of-game tactics
that could possibly be committed by a player or by a
team and these shall be treated separately and administered
according to appropriate procedures and penalties for
each of the respective infractions.

XII - AUTOMATIC EJECTION/DISQUALIFICATION
FROM THE GAME

The following are valid reasons for automatic
ejection/disqualification from the game by the players,
substitutes, coaches, assistant coaches, team officials
and other team bench personnel:

Any flagrant misconduct or acts of violence committed
by any member of the team;

Throwing a punch or striking with a closed fist
(with or without contact) committed by a player;

Two (2) technical fouls committed by a player;

Two (2) unsportsmanlike fouls committed by a player;
and

A combination of an unsportsmanlike foul and a technical
foul or vice-versa committed by a player.

Any rule violations of Art. 39 (Fighting)
committed by substitutes, coaches, assistant coaches,
team officials and other team bench personnel who leave
the confines of the team bench area during a fight or
during any situation which may lead to a fight shall
be subject to ejection/disqualification from the game.

NOTES:

If a player is charged with a technical
foul under Nos. 3 and 5 for delay-of-game acts e.g.,
by deliberately touching the ball after it passes through
the basket or by preventing a throw-in from being taken
promptly, such deed shall not count as one of the grounds
for his automatic ejection/disqualification. However,
if this type infraction would constitute to be the third
(3rd) cumulative breach of the rule, then the offending
player shall consequently be ejected/disqualified.

If a player is charged with or earlier
committed technical infractions under Nos. 3, 4 and
5 above, accumulated as a result of player contact/non-contact
fouls during any period of the game, he shall be automatically
ejected/disqualified from the game. However, that technical
foul, unsportsmanlike foul or a combination of both
shall be the only foul to be penalized and no additional
penalty for the ejection/disqualification from the game
shall be administered. This includes late discovery
of such technical infractions - there shall be no additional
sanctions on the ejected/disqualified player.

Any suspension for such ejection/disqualification
from the game shall be at the discretion of the Commissioner.

XIII - AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION FOR COACHES
EJECTED/DISQUALIFIED FROM THE GAME

Coaches ejected/disqualified from the
game as a result of the below-listed infractions of
the rules shall be given an automatic one (1) game suspension,
to wit:

One (1) disqualifying foul for direct and abusive
personal, persistent and flagrant unsportsmanlike
behaviour; or

Two (2) technical fouls as a result of his direct
personal unsportsmanlike behaviour; or

Three (3) technical fouls accumulated (cumulative)
as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct by the assistant
coaches, substitutes, team officials and other team
bench personnel who are seated on the team bench or
a combination of three (3) technical fouls one (1)
of which has been directly charged against the coach.

Upon ejection/disqualification from the
game, the coach shall immediately leave the playing
court and building premises or he may choose to stay
inside their designated team’s dressing room.

Coaches under suspension shall not be
allowed to be present at the playing venue and the immediate
premises during his team’s next scheduled game.

XIV - FINES AND PENALTIES

For technical foul, unsportsmanlike foul
and disqualifying foul committed by a player, coach,
assistant coach, team official and other team bench
personnel.

1st offense - Php 2,000.00 plus one (1) game to two
(2) games suspension
2nd offense - 3,000.00 plus three (3) games to five
(5) games suspension
3rd offense - 5,000.00 or more plus suspension for
the rest of the conference
Subsequent offense - heavy fines plus banishment from
the PBL

Any other consequent offense shall be classified
as a grave offense and shall
be penalized accordingly.

The Commissioner reserves the right to impose fines
and penalties not listed
herein which is deemed necessary to preserve the integrity
of the PBL.

All fines shall be remitted at the Office of the
Commissioner on or before the
next scheduled playing day of the offending party.
Failure to comply shall
prevent the offender to perform his duty for the next
scheduled game.

Important Note

The foregoing fines and penalties do not
apply to technical fouls and similar infractions concerning
a possible number of delay-of-game acts, after tactful
warnings, nor to unsportsmanlike foul “B”
called on a player while committing a foul (with no
clear intention to hurt) on a player who has already
established a clear path toward the basket.

XV - PROTEST

As specified on Page 16 under Protest
procedure of the Team Operations Manual, a team may
protest the result of a game within twenty-four (24)
hours from the completion of the game. The protest must:

Be in writing and in the protest form;

Expressly set forth the validity of the protest;
and

Signed by the Team Manager.

The teams may secure the protest form
from the on-site PBL office (located at venue where
the game is being played). A protest fee of Twenty-Thousand
Pesos (Php 20,000.00) must accompany the written protest
to enable the GOU directors and the Office of the Executive
Director and/or the Office of the Commissioner to take
cognizance of the protest. If the argument for the protest
is upheld, the protest fee shall be refunded, otherwise
the protest fee shall be forfeited in favor of the PBL.

The proofs for a valid protest are:

Commission of a technical error; and

The technical error influenced and materially affected
the result of the game.

XVI - WALKOUT

As specified on Page 17 under Walkout
procedure of the Team Operations Manual, the PBL has
a contract with its broadcast partner, to telecast the
PBL games live on television. The PBL therefore has
the obligation to complete all its scheduled games save
only in cases of force majeure. More importantly, the
PBL owes it to its fans that all scheduled games are
completed.

Any team that walks out of its game or
fails to complete the game shall be subject to sanctions
that the Commissioner shall impose in the best interests
of the PBL. The sanctions shall include the damages
that the PBL has suffered on account of the team’s
refusal to play and complete the scheduled game.

The team that abandons the game shall
be given five (5) minutes to return to the playing court.
After the 5-minute period, the signal (horn) shall be
sounded for the resumption of the game. If the said
team is still absent from the playing court after the
horn is sounded for the resumption of the game, the
referees shall immediately apply the formal forfeit
procedures and the game shall be forfeited in favor
of the other team present in the playing court.

XVII - GAME STOPPAGE DUE TO FORCE MAJEURE

In the event that a game is stopped due
to force majeure (e.g. power failure, roof leakage,
shattered backboard, natural calamity, etc.), the game
shall be replayed in its entirety if the stoppage occurs
on or before the end of the first half.

However, if the stoppage occurs during
the half-time interval or before the start of the second
half, the remaining playing time shall be played out
within the next seventy-two (72) hours, the time and
venue to be determined by the Office of the Executive
Director and/or the Office of the Commissioner. In this
case, team fouls and personal fouls, score, time remaining
and all other related game factors shall be carried
over when the game is continued to be played exactly
from where it was stopped.

In case of power outage, a maximum of
thirty (30) minutes waiting period shall be provided.
If within this period the power is not restored, the
GOU directors and/or the Office of the Executive Director
and/or the Office of the Commissioner shall order the
suspension of the game.

XVIII - RESOLUTION OF TIES

The following procedures shall be applied:

In case of ties involving two (2) teams, the result
of the game between the two (2) teams involved or
the “winner over-the-other” rule shall
prevail. If more than one (1) game is played between
the two (2) teams involved, quotient system shall
be used.

In case of ties involving more than two (2) teams,
the following quotient (goal average) system shall
be applied:

In the event that two (2) teams shall
have the same quotient (goal average), the results of
all their games played in the group shall be used to
break the tie.

XIX - CALL-OUT TIME FOR TEAMS TO ENTER
THE PLAYING COURT

Starting of the game

Both teams must enter the playing court
20-minutes before the game is scheduled to begin to
start their final warm-up in their respective opponents’
basket. A 20-minute period on the game clock shall be
set prior to the start of the game and the game clock
shall be switched-on immediately whether the competing
teams enter the playing court.

This period shall be used to determine
if one or both teams shall be given a warning for delay-of-game
and consequently be charged a technical foul before
the game officially begins.

Starting the second half (3rd
period/quarter) of the game

Both teams must return to the playing
court immediately after completion of the 15-minute
half-time interval, and as soon as the horn-signal is
sounded for the start of the 3rd period/quarter. The
teams must be ready to start to play without delay when
the referee blows the whistle and beckons the players
to enter the playing court.

Failure of teams to follow the foregoing
procedures shall be subject to automatic technical foul
charged against the coach of the offending team.

XX - MEMORANDUM ON FIBA RULES AND PBL
HOUSE RULES

The following excerpts from a number of
memorandum originally issued and addressed to all PBL
teams or head coaches and team managers (signed by the
Executive Director and/or the Commissioner) shall now
form as an integral part of this manual to ensure that
all participating teams are fully informed of the existing
rules contained therein. However, any previously issued
house rules including exceptions, if any, which were
no longer incorporated in this selection were considered
as outdated and/or superseded and, therefore, will not
be applicable as such. In this case, the 2006 FIBA rules
and interpretations shall be applied accordingly.

Authorized Team Representative for Referees’
Draw Lots (21 April 2007)

We wish to remind you that the above-subject
representative must be present at the PBL on-site location
office (venue of the game) for the following schedule
of draws:

For 2-game schedule 1st game at 2:00 pm
- 1:00 pm

2nd game at 4:00 pm - 5-minutes after
buzzer
sounds for end of the
first half of 1st game

For 3-game schedule 1st game at 12:00
noon - 11:00 am

2nd game at 2:00 pm - 5-minutes after
buzzer
sounds for end of the
first half of 1st game

3rd game at 4:00 pm - 5-minutes after
buzzer
sounds for end of the
first half of 2nd game

The draw lot must be completed in time
to enable the assigned referees to prepare themselves
for the game (dress, warm-up, pre-game conference, etc.).
A maximum of five (5) minutes shall be given to each
representative to be present for the draw. If one or
both delegate(s) failed to come on time, the Game Operations
Unit director shall proceed with the draw and the result
can not be protested against.

Perceived questions and clarifications
on referee’s call (01 May 2006)

Effective immediately, the Game Operations
Unit (GOU) directors seated opposite the team benches
shall no longer entertain nor provide special attention
to gesticulations coming from team owners and head coaches
(including coaching staff) concerning possible wrong
calls, no calls, weak calls, etc., made by the officiating
officials. Instead, you are enjoined to seek clarifications
from any one of our GOU directors at the appropriate
time as provided under the PBL Rules and Regulations
Manual (House Rules), Pages 8 and 9, Sections VI - Norms
and Code of Conduct of Players/Team Officials, Procedure
No. 3, and VII - Inquiries on the Conduct of the Game,
Procedure Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

There is no need to call the attention
of the GOU directors during the progress of the game.

This will give GOU the much needed concentration
in carefully evaluating each play situation where calls
or no calls may have taken place. It will also enable
them to constantly brief and remind the game officials
on other situations which the responsible referee may
have failed to see or involuntarily disregarded.

However, we have instructed the officiating
crew to courteously pay attention to head coaches and
coaching staff, or team managers if they so wish, who
may want to seek clarifications provided this is done
in a nice and courteous manner and only during stoppage
of play when the ball is dead and the game clock is
stopped at the same time.

Effective Game No. 29 on 23 April 2006
(start of 2nd round), we are expanding the time frame
within which to correct errors covering the correctable
situations listed in the above-referenced guidelines
and house rules as follows:

Period ending shot or 24-second period ending shot:
If the game officials encounter difficulties in determining
whether a period ending shot or a 24-second clock
ending shot shall count or not, the Game Operations
Unit directors and the game officials shall review
the video tape to determine if the ball is still in
the hands of the shooter when time expired or if the
ball has been released before the expiration of time;

Legitimate 2-points or 3-points field goal attempt:
If the game officials fail to determine whether a
shot for a field goal is a legitimate 2-points or
a legitimate 3-points field goal attempt, the Game
Operations Unit directors and the game officials shall
review the video tape to determine the correct place
from where the shot was taken; and

Goal tending and interference (offensive and defensive):
If the game officials were unable to make instantaneous
decisions on whether a goal tending or interference
with the ball violation has occurred, the Game Operations
Unit directors and the game officials shall review
the video tape to determine if a clear violation was
actually committed either by the offensive or defensive
player.

The expanded time frame shall be as follows:

Error occurs = START of time frame: Error
IS
CORRECTABLE
Ball live = Error is correctable
Game clock starts or continue to run = Error is correctable
Dead ball = Error is correctable
Ball live = Error is correctable
Dead ball and game clock is stopped = Error IS CORRECTABLE
e.g., referee blow the whistle for any infraction (foul
or violation), time-
out or substitution, jump ball situation, etc.
Ball live and game clock starts to run = END of time
frame: Error IS
NO LONGER CORRECTABLE

Therefore, any error listed under the
correctable situations may be corrected only up to the
FIRST STOPPAGE OF PLAY when the BALL BECOMES DEAD AND
GAME CLOCK IS STOPPED AT THE SAME TIME.

All the foregoing situations shall require
an immediate official’s time-out and appropriate
consultation process with the Game Operations Unit directors,
game officials and table officials. This procedure will
ensure that the game IS PUT INTO THE RIGHT PLAY and
that no team shall be unduly penalized because of the
involuntary error by the referee in judging the play.

As a general rule, the Crew Chief shall
make the final decision in each of the foregoing correctable
situations.

This memorandum supersedes the existing
time frame provided in both the above-referenced guidelines
and house rules. However, the expanded time frame is
distinct and separate from the official time frame and
procedure to correct errors under FIBA Art. 44 - Correctable
Errors, which specifically apply to the proper administration
of the game. Therefore, the time frame for Art. 44 shall
remain as is for all its intent and purpose.

Throw-in spot (new amendments FIBA rules
- No. 3) (October 28, 2005)

During the last two (2) minutes of the
4th quarter or each overtime period, if a time-out is
granted:

to the non-scoring team after a valid field goal,

to the team that has been awarded possession of
the ball in its backcourt

IN ALL CASES, the throw-in, following
or after the time-out shall be administered at the center
line extended (mid-court), opposite the scorer’s
table. The player taking the throw-in shall be entitled
to pass the ball to his team-mate at any place on the
playing court either front court or backcourt.

EXCEPTION: If the ball is caused to go
out-of-bounds by a defensive player as a result of a
good defensive pressure, the remaining time on the 8-second
period and the 24-second shot clock shall continue from
the time these were stopped e.g., remaining time of
4 seconds to move the ball into the frontcourt and remaining
time of 20 seconds to attempt a shot for a field goal,
respectively, and shall not be reset. The throw-in shall
be administered at the nearest place from where the
ball goes out-of-bounds in the backcourt (not at the
center line extended).

Art. 7 - Only the coach is permitted
to remain standing during the game (October 28, 2005)

Aside from the head coach, any one of
the assistant coach(es) shall likewise be allowed to
remain standing during the game provided that a maximum
of two (2) coaches, the head coach or assistant coach,
shall stand at any given time. Any infraction of this
rule shall be subject to warning in the first instance.
A technical foul shall be charged for any repetition
of similar infraction after the warning.

It shall be maintained, however, that
in situations where a spectacular play and related display
of sensational actions occur, any and all other team
bench personnel may be allowed to stand provided that
after such play they shall remain seated again.

Hash Mark (Fine Line) (October
28, 2005)

A hash mark shall be strictly enforced
and must be observed by the coaches who are allowed
to remain standing during the game. Particular attention
must also be given in that no members of the team (head
coach, assistant coaches, substitutes, team officials
and team followers) shall leave their team bench during
a fight or any situation which may lead to a fight.

Therefore, all team bench personnel must
always stay inside their team bench area during any
period of the game. During time-outs granted to either
team, however, team members may leave their team bench
provided that they remain within their team bench area.

As a deterrent to bench clearing incidents,
automatic ejection/disqualification from the game of
those involved shall be applied irregardless of the
number of players being ejected/disqualified. The sanction
includes imposing of fines and penalties as may be deemed
necessary by the Office of the Executive Director or
the Office of the Commissioner.

Behaviour of head coach, coaching staff
and team bench personnel (October 28, 2005)

Any persistent and flagrant unsportsmanlike
behaviour (taunting and use of verbal abuse to express
bitter and insulting remarks) directed at any of the
game officials shall be strictly prohibited. No more
than one (1) warning shall be given to team bench personnel
(head coach, assistant coaches, substitutes, team officials
and team followers) for this purpose.

If necessary, the officials shall immediately
assess a technical foul or a disqualifying foul in the
first instance of flagrantly unsportsmanlike acts.

Philosophy of advantage/disadvantage principle
(October 28, 2005)

This subject has been clearly illustrated
and shall be maintained in all play situations during
the progress of the game. However, any foul called shall
be based solely on the judgement of the officials calling
the infraction and, therefore, cannot be contested or
corrected by the Game Operations.

Addressing the attention of the Game
Operations officials (October 28, 2005)

These acts of some coaches in addressing
the attention of the Game Operations officials, (formerly
Technical Committee) by constantly disputing calls of
officials, displaying a disapproving glance beginning
with the referee’s first decision and continuing
with similar abusive behaviour through these hands which
the coach puts on his head, these gestures that forgive
you from being alive, these demonstrations of contemptuousness
toward the referees and Game Operations officials are
far, far worse than any insult or angry protest.

The Game Operations shall not tolerate
any of these acts. Instead, coaches are reminded to
wait for the most opportune time to seek clarifications,
which must be done in a nice and courteous manner, in
order that Game Operations may be able to entertain
such request.

Please note that where changes on guidelines
presented in this memorandum differ from previously
issued guidelines, these agreed upon changes supersede
any other guidelines and shall, therefore, take precedence.

A. Establishing location of a player inside
the court (20 October 2005)

If a player, by his momentum involuntarily
goes out-of-bounds, he may immediately return into the
playing court BY LEGALLY ESTABLISHING HIMSELF WITH EITHER
ONE FOOT OR BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR (inside the playing
court) before touching or catching the ball.

B. Immediate and clear control during
sounding of the 24-second shot clock period (20 October
2005)

When a shot for a field goal is attempted
NEAR THE END OF THE 24-SECOND SHOT CLOCK PERIOD, and
the signal sounds while the ball is in the air:

If the ball hits the backboard or completely missed
to touch the ring, technically speaking, a violation
has occurred UNLESS THE OPPONENT (DEFENSIVE PLAYER)
HAS GAINED IMMEDIATE AND CLEAR CONTROL OF THE BALL
and/or AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE IN TEAM CONTROL WAS ESTABLISHED,
in which case the signal sound for the end of the
24-second shot clock period shall be disregarded and
the game shall continue without interruptions from
the referees.

If, in this case, the referee blows his
whistle (the game clock is stopped and the ball is dead),
the game shall continue by awarding the ball for a throw-in
to the team that gained immediate and clear control
of the ball and, likewise, this team shall be awarded
a new 24-second shot clock period.

C. Travelling violation after a legal
attempt for a shot for a field goal (20 October 2005)

Whenever an offensive player releases
the ball on a legal attempt for a shot for a field goal
or lay-up shot, both team control and player control
ends immediately. Therefore, if the ball missed to touch
the ring and the same player gains control of the ball,
he may attempt another shot for a field goal from his
new location, make a pass or may even dribble again,
however, the 24-second shot clock period continues to
run and a possible 24-second violation may occur. This
situation is LEGAL PLAY and shall no longer be called
as a traveling violation.

A new time-out or substitution opportunity
shall be granted to BOTH TEAMS during any period of
the game on the following situations:

If the request for a time-out or substitution is
made BEFORE THE BALL IS AT THE DISPOSAL OF A PLAYER
FOR A THROW-IN (BEFORE THE BALL BECOMES LIVE) immediately
following a free throw(s), the time-out or the substitution
shall be granted to both teams IF THE LAST OR ONLY
FREE-THROW IS SUCCESSFUL.

If a free-throw(s) is to be followed by awarding
a throw-in at the center line extended (possession
of the ball at mid-court), the time-out or the substitution
shall be granted to both teams AFTER THE LAST FREE-THROW
WHETHER THE LAST FREE-THROW IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT,
AND BEFORE THE BALL IS AT THE DISPOSAL OF A PLAYER
FOR A THROW-IN (BEFORE THE BALL BECOMES LIVE).

In both situations, the substitution
may be made IRREGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS to
be substituted.

E. Foul on offensive player after the
release of the ball on a shot for a field goal (20 October
2005)

Whenever an offensive player releases
the ball on a legal attempt for a shot for a field goal
or lay-up shot, any foul called on this player SHALL
NOT BE CONSIDERED AS AN OFFENSIVE FOUL because both
team control and player control ends immediately when
the shot was released. Therefore, the ball shall be
awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the nearest
place of infraction. However, if this team is in the
team foul penalty situation, the opponent shall be awarded
two (2) free throws, made or miss, the game shall continue
normally as after any last or only free-throw.

New FIBA rule on the start of overtime
periods (May 6, 2005)

If an extra period (overtime) is required,
the overtime begins with alternating possession (AP)
arrow throw-in by the team entitled to the AP arrow
at the end of the previous period, as is done to start
the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters.

Therefore, the jump ball shall be made
only during the start of the 1st quarter of the game.

Considerations given limited sideline
space (April 27, 2005)

One of the first things we noticed upon
our return to the Pasig Sports Center is how little
space there is available on the sidelines, especially
in the area immediately in front of each team’s
bench.

As you know, the area of operation of
our game officials includes these very spots, and there
is a big possibility of collisions between coaches and
game officials therein.

So as not to hamper the game flow and
to enable our game officials to stay true to the mechanics
we have drilled into them, we would like to enjoin the
cooperation of everyone on the coaching staff of the
teams to please refrain from standing up in these spots,
particularly while the play is in progress in that half
of the court.

This will be true for all venues in which
sideline space is at a premium.

Tugging of jerseys (April 19, 2005)

- The jersey is deemed part of the player’s
skin. An automatic foul will be
slapped on any player caught holding on to an opponent’s
jersey.

Hand check (April 19, 2005)

- Anything that can be construed as moves meant to
impede a player’s
progress on the court will be called. The arm bar,
arm lock or the
use of arms to impede progress and the like will now
be slapped with
automatic fouls. In essence, broadening the referees’
appreciation from
the old adage of play involvement being limited to
those being just “one
pass away.”

Excessive physical contact (April 19, 2005)

- Self explanatory.

Referee-player interaction (April 19, 2005)

- The referee will no longer directly caution players
about their on-court play.
Instead, the referee will communicate this to the
coach who in turn will talk
to his player. (Exception: Calling out excessive jockeying
by telling players
to “loosen up” while game is in progress.)

Principle of trajectory during rebound plays (April
19, 2005)

- A bit more leeway for positioning during rebound
play will be allowed
provided the ball caroms away from where the players
are located.

Restudying the principle of “dire consequences”
(April 19, 2005)

- We will look again more closely into what constitutes
“dire consequences”
as applied to sequences in which unsportsmanlike fouls
are called.